RGRTA Chief Mark Aesch. FILE PHOTO
RGRTA chief Mark Aesch says that this is a new design for Ren Square's transit center. In fact, the illustration is new, but the concept has been around for more than a month. PROVIDED ART
The previous version of the transit center. PROVIDED ART
With just over a day before a federal funding deadline, city and Ren Square officials don't seem any closer to an agreement on the project. At a press conference at transit-authority headquarters this morning, transit authority chief Mark Aesch presented what he is calling a compromise, a "different design" for the Ren Square transit center. But the design is the slight reduction that Ren Square representatives had already discussed with city officials and the media: pulling each side of the center back by the width of about two bus bays. That would reduce the size of the bus station building itself by 140 feet.
City officials have already said they want the station reduced more than that.
Aesch said the reduction he proposed is made possible by moving Greyhound and Trailways out of the transit center. He said Ren Square officials asked the two bus companies to move out of the station.
"I'm not sure Greyhound and Trailways are particularly pleased," he said at this morning's press conference.
But city officials say that the bus companies themselves wanted to relocate, that they want to be at the train station.
"They told us that long ago," Duffy spokesman Gary Walker said this morning.
Walker didn't sound conciliatory. He said a representative of the Duffy administration "was kicked out" of the Aesch press conference. The same thing occurred at Monroe County Executive Maggie Brooks' press conference yesterday.
"This is not the act of serious people," Walker said.
"I think they're looking for an exit strategy," Walker said, one that would have the city take the blame for the death of Ren Square.
In his press conference this morning, Aesch continued to push for the city's agreement on the project.
"I think if we do not have action by the city by tomorrow night, this project is a thing of the past," he said.
Comments for "REN SQUARE: Another press conference, another stalemate " (3)
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kegling said on Jul. 22, 2009 at 12:32pm
This is your city Mayor Duffy - Aren't you interested in creating 3,700 + jobs in this day of devestating unemployment. Please don't throw away this federal funding on a project that is sensible and do-able. Also, with more and more people using the transit system in order to save money and those who are without any other type of transportation, it makes no sense to decrease the fleet size by 16 buses.
Leo said on Jul. 22, 2009 at 3:11pm
Ren Square is the boondoggle remains of the Doyle Administration, and if it dies on the drawing table tomorrow, I for one will be relieved to see it finally be put to rest.
Going forward, County, RGRTA and City planners would be wise to ask the fundamental question of how to best serve and grow public transit ridership - Do we have the best system in place?
Why are we so wedded to the ancient, hub-and-spoke system that forces a rider in Henrietta to go to Main & Clinton in order to transfer to a bus that will take him to a job in Perinton? Why not invest in the technology that develops a route system that better serves the community's riders?
Instead of building one massive expensive terminal structure, why not build dozens of smaller hubs, or mini-stations (lighted and climate-controlled, with information screens that tell riders when to expect the next bus)? If a downtown terminal is ultimately proven necessary, then common sense suggests that it be added it to a truly multi-modal station, connecting commuters and travelers to bus, train, taxi and airport shuttle services. Why should the RGRTA (I.E., taxpayers) shoulder 100% of the operating costs when they could be shared with other transit providers?
RGRTA has been stubbornly committed to a relic of the past, whose use is outmoded before its even built. RGRTA needs to get over it and build for today - and the future.
carlene woodward said on Jul. 22, 2009 at 9:10pm
What you don't see in these drawings are the arrows for the constant stream of buses going in and out and the service road to the right. How may I ask, is a pedestrian suppose to get accross to Main Street or down the street going north? Will there be a signal or must you risk your life getting across? You must take an escalator or elevator to the second level in order to use the Concourse! RGRTA fails to mention that they are removing four, six, or eight bus stops from Main St., St. Paul and Clibton and rather than get off at your destination you must go to the station and walk back. With more than 20 doors on the station can it really be heated or cooled? Where are the answers?
Reducing the size of the station to the size that the Mayor proposes at least allows for parking for important buildings already being restored e.g. Cox. Warner and present on St. Paul but cannot answer these questions.
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